Wild Rose Harmonizers will soon be spreading the love around the community

Serving up sweet love songs for Valentine’s Day is the focus this time of year for the Wild Rose Harmonizers.

On Feb. 14th, a quartet will deliver two love songs sung in gentle, close harmony, a flower and a picture of the occasion to recipients at their Red Deer or area home or office.

The cost is $40 in Red Deer or $50 outside of the City.

For bookings, call Fran Lavoie at 403-347-0436 or David Crozier-Smith at 403-342-1318. Book early as space is limited, and requests must be received by Feb. 12th.

The barbershop chorus, which consists of around 20 men from across Central Alberta, have sung at many different events around the community, including city functions, seniors’ lodges, fairs, school programs, an annual Christmas concert and more.

Lavoie, who has been singing with the local group for about 12 years now, said his interest in singing barbershop styles extends back to the 1960s.

“There’s the singing and the harmony, but it’s also a fun-loving group,” he said of the Harmonizers. “We don’t have any objective except to enjoy singing and to share it with others. We get a lot appreciation from singing to various groups as well,” he said.

“We are also open to bookings for anniversary or birthday parties as well.”

Lavoie said the men can perform as quartets or as a complete chorus.

As to the Valentine’s quartets, Lavoie said last year the quartets performed special Valentine’s serenades about 19 times.

“It’s great,” he said of seeing folks’ reactions to the quartets showing up to surprise them with a few tunes. “It’s a great experience. Singing in the quartet is good because there are the four-part harmonies. It’s a great pleasure to do some quality harmonizing for sure,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Wild Rose Harmonizers practice at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Davenport Church of Christ.

“Our job is to go out and sing and to do a really good job of it,” he said. “It’s great for men; it’s great fellowship. We enjoy our practices because we make some good sounds and have fun doing it.”